Sabtu, 20 April 2013

Pegaga

CENTELLA
ASIATICA

Pegaga(GOTU KOLA)

Centella asiatica is a medicinal
plant with a long history of therapeutic use. It is a creeping plant which has
its origin in tropical and subtropical climates. In India and Indonesia it has
a long history of use, healing wounds and slowing the progression ofleper. Furthermore, it is considered
to prolong life and to increase energy and sexual potency.

Based on many indications of the traditional medicine, it was
accepted in France in 1880. British physicians used it in Africa for leper
treatment. In the 70s, Italian and European investigators found evidence that
this plant may significantly improve the symptoms
caused by hemorrhoids and varicose veins.

According to the WHO and various clinical studies, the Centella
preparations are indicated for external use as healingsubstance, particularly to
acceleratethehealing of postraumatic or postsurgical wounds, as well as for
second and third degree burns and the prevention ofgravidic stretch marks. Furthermore, they
prevent the formation of hypertrophicscars.
Also for the treatmentof the psoriasis and skindamage of simple herpes.

2. Vascular and
lymphatic pathologies

Various clinical studies indicate its application for chronical venous insufficiency,varicose veins,venous hypertension, and its use for
the prevention of circulatoryproblems on medium and long
distance flights.

Other recent studies confirm its usefulness in diabetic microangiopathy.
Some clinical tests suggest the action against stretchmarks and cellulitis, for its diuretic action and improvement of lymphatic circulation.

3. Action on the
nervous system

Asian Centella increases the cerebral levels of GABA, which
explains its traditional use as ansiolytic and anti-convulsive.
Centella has been used for the treatment of the syndrome
ofconcentration deficit and in cases of feeble-mindedness, although its action mechanism
in these pathologies is not known.

4. Anti-tumor action

Probably due to its immune-stimulating properties it produces
immunological cytolysis which explains the benefits observed in cancerpatients.

5. Peptic ulcer
desease

It may be used orally for the treatment of gastric andduodenal ulcers due to stress. Its
benefit is apparently due to the immune-modulating active components that act
at the gastrointestinal level.

Mix all the ingredients together and blend to form a paste. No
water should be added. Preferably use pestle and mortar instead of blender. You
may add tamarind (asam jawa) to further improve the flavour. Store the paste in
fridge. Thaw the paste for about half an hour before usage.

25 January, 2009

MadagascarA crystallized substance, asiaticoside, was found, thought at
first to be a glucoside.It has been shown that it is an ester. The compound broke down the
leprosy nodules, perforating ulcers and lesions on fingers and early eye
lesions. It has been suggested that this medicine probably dissolve at the waxy
covering of the leprosy basillus so that it becomes fragile and can be easily
destroyed either by the body.India

The plant is valued in indigenous medicine for treatment of
leprosy and skin diseases and also to improve memory.

A cold poultice of the fresh herb is used as an external
application in rheumatism, elephantiasis and hydrocele.

For treating leprosy and other skin diseases it is given as an
ointment or dusting powder.

Internally it has been valued as a tonic and is used in
bronchitis, asthma, gastric catarahh, leucorrhoea, kidney troubles, urethritis
and dropsy.

A decoction of very young shoots is given for haemorrhoids. It is
used for Blood Conditions, Brain and Nervous System Conditions, Cardiovascular
Conditions Gastrointestinal Conditions, Glandular Conditions, Immune System
Conditions, cough problems, Liver Conditions, Respiratory Tract Conditions, and
Tissue Development.

When given orally at doses of 200 and 600 mg/kg twice daily for 5
days, the drug showed significant protection against all the above experimental
ulcer models. This effect was thought to be due to the strengthening of mucosal
defensive factors.

Peptidic hydroxyproline was also increased, showing an increased
remodelling of the collagen matrix in the wound. The three purified components
ofTECA were all able to reproduce the effects of the complete drug. The
activity of asiaticoside was studied in normal and delayed-type wound healing.

In guinea pig punch wounds topical applications of a 0.2% solution
of asiaticoside produced a 56% increase in hydroxyproline, 57% increase in
tensile strength, increased collagen content and improved epithelialisation.

Asiaticoside was also active by the oral route at 1 mg/kg and is
thought to be the main active constituent of Centella asiatica. Asiaticoside
enhanced antioxidant levels at an initial stage of wound healing which may be
an important contributory factor in the healing properties of this constituent.

The extract also protected skin against radiation injury.
Immunomodulatory activity: An alcoholic extract showed stimulatory effect on
the reticuloendothelial system (RES) in mice and an in vitro study of the aq
ueous extract demonstrated a positive effect on both the classic and
alternative pathways of complement activation.

Antitubercular activity:
An injection of 0.5 ml of a 4% solution of hydroxyasiaticoside was given in
guinea pigs, inoculated 15 days preyiously with tubercle bacillus. It reduced
the number of tubercular lesions in the liver, lungs, nerve ganglions and
spleen and decreased the volume of the spleen over that of untreated control
animals, thereby displaying antitubercular activity.

Psychoneurological activity:
The alcoholic extract, when given orally to rats and mice treated with
phenobarbitone, significantly prolonged sleeping time. In the maximum
electroshock-induced convulsion test in rats, it significantly reduced the
duration of individual convulsions. In a behavioural test it reduced the
duration of the immobilityphase, indicating sedative, antidepressive and
analgesic actions.

According to Hartwell (1967–1971), the flowers, leaves, and roots
are used in folk remedies for tumors, the seed for abdominal tumors.

The root decoction is used in Nicaragua for dropsy. Root juice is
applied externally as rubefacient or counter-irritant.

Leaves applied as poultice to sores, rubbed on the temples for
headaches, and said to have purgative properties.

Bark, leaves and roots are acrid and pungent, and are taken to
promote digestion. Oil is somewhat dangerous if taken internally, but is
applied externally for skin diseases. Bark regarded as antiscorbic, and exudes
a reddish gum with properties of tragacanth; sometimes used for diarrhea.

Roots are bitter, act as a tonic to the body and lungs, and are
emmenagogue, expectorant, mild diuretic and stimulant in paralytic afflictions,
epilepsy and hysteria.

-Leaves can be eaten
raw.Whole plant is a vegetable need among the Malay community throughout
Malaysia.List of favourite meals include:-

a)gulai lemakb)ulam
c)kerabud)tonic drink

Traditional use of pegaga among the Indians

-Young leaves are eaten as vegetables either cooked or raw. The
leaves can be boiled and consumed to prevent or cure urinary tract infection
and stone.

Traditional use ofpegaga among the Chinese

In Chinese folk medicine, a decoction of this herb is used for
the treatment of colds, sunstroke, tonsilitis, pleurisy, urinary tract
infections, infectious hepatitis, jaundice, and dysentery; as an antidote for
arsenic poisoning, toxic mushroom and as an external poultice for snake bites,
scabies, traumatic injuries, and herpes zoster.

23 January, 2009

A tailing herb of moist places with slender stems, rounded,
simple leaves and inconspicious flowers in short clusters. The small fruits are
laterally compressed schizocarps, each comprising two mericarps that split
apart at maturity.Thestemsare slender,creeping stolons, green to reddish green in colour,
interconnecting one plant to the another. It has long-stalked, green, reniform
leaves with rounded apices which have smooth textures with palmately netted
veins.

Theleavesare borne on pericladial
petioles, around 20cm. The rootstock consist of rhizomes, growing vertically
down. They are creamish in colour and covered with root hairs.Theflowersare pinkish to red in colour, borne in
small, rounded bunches near the surface of the soil. Each flower is partly
enclosed in two green bracts. The hermaphrodite flowers are minute in size
(less than 3mm). with 5-6 corolla lobes per flower. Each flower bears five
stamens and two styles. The fruit are densely reticulate, distinguishing it from
species of Hydrocotyle which have smooth, ribbed or warty fruit.The crop
matures in 3 months and the whole plant, including the roots is harvested
manually.